Last week we were not good enough, and it is time for a statement performance. Regardless of the result, I feel we will see a different side of Bafana this evening, and Appollis will be the star.
Two red cards and two poor goals conceded – it could not have gone worse seven days ago, but now we look ahead to the next clash, which is more than likely a must-win for Bafana.
Appollis did not start in the previous match, as Broos went for a conservative selection that saw five defenders and three deeper midfielders playing behind Lyle Foster and Iqraam Rayners. We were desperate for pace all over the pitch, and there was a serious lack of creativity. Oswin Appollis brings both of those and more.
Czechia’s defence dealt well with Korea’s attacking options but were undone by quick interplay through the middle – the kind of movement Appollis can replicate alongside his team mates for Bafana.
Appollis was a standout for Betway Premiership winners Orlando Pirates, standing as one of the best goalscorers and creators in the competition this season – 21 goal contributions for Pirates on their way to their first league title in over a decade.
This is the quality South Africa were missing last week, and even though he came on late off the bench, the game was already dead and buried with South Africa two players down. This week he will start and have more time to influence the game – something he will most certainly do. Even after coming on as a substitute against Mexico, he was the brightest spark of a very poor lineup.
South Africa have to, at the bare minimum, raise the morale of the supporters with a positive performance, and I believe Oswin Appollis will do that best for South Africa.
Photo: Andrey/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images
